Mod 2 Task 2 5KAs

[Chris Piper Keymaster]

[Chris Piper Keymaster]

I think we would all be interested in each other’s ideas regarding key attributes for an ideal humanitarian or community development practionrer – whether these be the 5KAs; views from the field (Zoom 18 August); or your own expereiences.

[Inactive]

I only have 3 years experience working with international development practitioners, but the below attributes are ones I have found most helpful/admirable in my colleagues (and relate very closely to the 5KAs):

o Able to build rapport – making them and you more approachable (and increasing efficiency): I find this super helpful with my colleagues that live overseas. I have built a great rapport and friendship with a number of my colleagues overseas (who I sadly have not met yet), and this makes them (and me) a lot more approachable. As we have rapport I feel very comfortable going to them with questions/issues that pop up (and hope they feel the same), this is very handy particularly when experiencing stressful times in the workplace or when everyone has tight deadlines. It makes working together a lot easier and I feel like we are both able to get more work done more efficiently. It also makes work more enjoyable 🙂
o Good understanding of the background context: the knowledge that my overseas colleagues have of the countries they live and work in is invaluable.
o Flexibility: I feel that COVID-19 lockdowns in Melbourne really tested everyone’s flexibility. I appreciated my organisation/managers approach to flexible working from home arrangements. I also had to be flexible with how I completed tasks (that were usually very straight forward.. like having directors of the organisation physically sign the same piece of paper – a lot harder/more time consuming to do when in lockdown), and appreciated my colleagues being patient with each other as things took longer than usual.
o Clear objectives: I’m very task oriented and appreciate when my manager/colleagues have clear objectives so I understand what needs to be done.

[Chris Piper Keymaster]

Thanks for your comments here, Chloe, really useful.

[Author]

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